Last year was a quiet one for brass bands choosing to tour - tour operators put this down to the financial gloom that was quickly associated with 2009. It seems assumptions were proven correct when the number of brass bands choosing to tour in 2010 increased, just as the financial outlook seemed to be getting brighter. Let me reassure you that the hardest part of the whole process is actually choosing to tour and picking up the phone to a tour operator - from that point on they will endeavour to be with you every step of the way! Roy Varney from Rayburn Tours, a specialist Brass Band Tour operator, presents his views on the touring process from start to finish, giving you a realistic view of what's involved.
'So, you and your band have decided to go on tour in 2010. Through phone calls and emails you start discussing when and where you would like to go and how best to get there with your Rayburn Tours Consultant. A face-to-face meeting is often beneficial, so your consultant could always make a personal visit to one of your band nights. After thorough discussions, we have decided that the Black Forest in Germany is the place and August is the time for your tour. You will go by coach, with a trailer to carry your instruments - with amongst other things four basses and a set of percussion to transport, it is by far the best way.
With your tour dates, travel and accommodation sorted out by your tour consultant, it will now be handed over to me, your tour coordinator - my job is to discuss your concert requirements with you, and place any excursions you would like to do round them. Your tour has been allocated to me as my strong background in brass bands and knowledge of the Black Forest area will be put me in good stead to advise you.
Once I am happy that I understand what you are looking for, my next step is to confirm your concerts. I can also advise on what to include, and perhaps not include, in your concert programme; it is always good to include a local pleaser - even if it's Germany rather than Austria, the Radetsky March is always a winner. Eric Coates' Dambusters March? Well maybe not - much to the relief, no doubt, of those hard-pressed front row cornets.
With your concerts in place, the next step is to discuss your activities and excursions. You have a wide age range to please in the band, so I might suggest a split day of excursions - maybe the families would like a day at 'Europa-Park', one of Germany's best theme parks; others in the group may wish to pop over the French border and visit Strasbourg, with the option to do a canal trip or have a tour round the Kronenbourg Brewery. This can all be planned into your itinerary. You may want to spend some time in the resort of Triberg, home to Germany's highest waterfall - it's a strenuous exercise climbing the path to the top, so again, I will make provision for some of your group to spend time in the local Black Forest museum, or to browse the shops and visit the cafés.
Once all these details are in place, we will finalise your itinerary and send it to you in writing. I am happy to come along to a practice night, to present your tour to the band and answer any questions they may have. If you have chosen to have a tour courier with you, I will have a pre-tour meeting with them, so that they are fully aware of every aspect of your tour.
In the last few days before your departure, I will contact you again to make sure that we sort out any last minute details, and wish you a good tour - and a few days after you return, I will be in touch with you again, to see how it all went.'
I am sure you have plenty on your plate for 2010, but this doesn't have to stop you and your brass band touring! Tour consultants will discuss your requirements with you before going that extra mile to organise every aspect of the tour for you. Our number one aim is to take most of the burden of the tour administration away from you, leaving you free to run rehearsals and get your group ready for a fantastic Brass Band Tour experience!
For further information see the Rayburn website: www.rayburntours.com
